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Archive for February 13th, 2008

Houston Metro Train Hits Bicycle at Crossing - “Accident Preventable”

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

A Houston Metro statement about an accident at a crossing stated that the accident was “…preventable…”.

Aren’t all accidents “preventable”?

Maybe what the statement implied was that the train driver was at fault?

For the story see:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5535446.html

Three Chinese Sailors Missing After Greek Oil Tanker Hits South Korean Fishing Boat off African Coast

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

For more information, see:

http://www.china.org.cn/english/international/242504.htm

Fire Kills Two at ADM Plant in Decatur, IL

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

Two long time employees apparently died of carbon monoxide poisoning after a fire in an air handling unit at a corn processing plant in Decatur, IL.

For more information, see:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-22958799.htm

Accident Investigation - How Long Should It Take?

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

A deadly mine accident in Kazakstan - the “commission” investigating the accident issues a preliminary report in 18 days. They found a “likely cause” and issued 18 recommendations to improve safety.

The BP Texas City Refinery explodes killing 15. The CSB issues a final report after 3 years. (They did issue preliminary reports and make several improvement suggestions prior to the final report.)

A bridge over the Mississippi River collapses in Minnesota. Six months later the NTSB says that they don’t know the root cause.

How long should an accident investigation take?

Are we being served by reports that come out years after fatal accidents?

Are politicians and company officials waiting for these slow reports before taking action? Or id a report years later too little too late?

What should we be doing “in the mean time” if investigations take years to complete.

Let me know your thoughts by clicking on the word “Comments” below.